Somang Society, well known for its well-being and well-dying campaigns as well as its program to provide water in Africa, is looking to expand to celebrate its 10th year anniversary.
The organization hosted its 10th year anniversary sponsor night on Sept. 23 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and chronicled its history as well as announcing future plans.
“It was difficult when we first founded the organization in 2007,” said chief director Boon-ja Yoo. “But God led us to our 10th year thanks to so many people who helped us out. I thank people for sacrificing themselves to sponsor and volunteer for us. We’re going to continue to go forward as we’re looking forward to the next 10 years now.”
Somang Society secretary-general Kyung-cheol Choi said: “We’re going to establish bureaus in L.A., San Diego and Houston next year. The goal is to have a bureau everywhere in the U.S. as well as Africa. Within the next 10 years, we want to realize [chief director] Yoo’s dream of giving everyone in the world a place to rest.”
The event was also attended by South Korea’s L.A. consul general Key-cheol Lee, Baby Box president Jong-rak Lee, UC Irvine Organ Donor program director Mark Brooks and former Irvine mayor Sukhee Kang.
Somang Society has also been actively digging for wells in Africa to provide more water in impoverished regions. Since partnering with the Korea Daily in 2010, the organization has sent volunteers who dug 315 wells over the last seven years. Those efforts have allowed 300,000 Africans to have direct access to water. Somang Society is also looking to build four kindergartens in the region.
Somang Society is also running various programs to realize its pursuit of a beautiful life and beautiful finish.
The motto at Somang Society has been that people should embrace death rather than simply waiting for it. In addition, the organization has provided classes for Alzheimer’s patients, families who have lost their loved ones and those who are preparing for their deaths. As of today, 12,809 people have taken part in its campaign to pre-write their death notes, while 1,172 have signed the petition to donate their organs after death. In addition, 667 emergency contact cards have been issued.
Male choir Harmonia Singers performed O Sole Mio and You Raise Me Up at the event, drawing an applause from the crowd.
More information about Somang Society is available on somangsociety.org
By Nakhee Park
